Apparatus for introducing a gas into a liquid

Abstract

An apparatus for introducing a gas into a liquid comprising a container, at least one vertical conduit in fluid communication with the container, the conduit having therein at least one mixer assembly for breaking up gas bubbles into bubbles having small diameters, and a means for introducing a gas into the conduit at a point below the mixer assembly, the mixer assembly comprising at least two freely rotating turbines which are spaced apart axially and have different direction or speed of rotation.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An apparatus for simultaneously separating solid particles from a liquid and aerating the liquid comprising: a container having an upper cylindrical section and an inverted conical bottom portion, a valving means being provided at the apex of the conical section for removal of solid particles from the container, a tangential inlet and a central outlet being provided in the top section thereof,   at least one vertical conduit in fluid communication with the container, the conduit having an upper end connected tangentially to the top of the container and below the tangential inlet and central outlet, and a bottom portion which is bent upwards and penetrates the container near the bottom of the cylindrical section of the container, the open end of the bottom portion being disposed near the center of the container, the conduit having disposed therein at least one mixer assembly, each assembly comprising a plurality of turbines, the turbines being free to rotate, spaced apart vertically and having different speeds or directions of rotation; and   means for introducing a gas into the conduit at a point below the mixer assembly.   
     
     
       2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein two mixer assemblies are disposed within each vertical conduit, one near the bottom and the other in the middle portion thereof, a means for introducing a gas into the conduit being disposed below each mixer assembly.